Coordinated Anglo-French Air Strike Targets Islamic State Munitions Store in Syria
RAF Typhoon FGR4s have conducted a mission with French aircraft in a combined operation targeting an underground arms cache in Syria used by the IS group, according to the UK's MoD.
The location, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as housing weapons and explosive materials, the release indicated, and was located in mountains just north of the historic site of Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"The RAF jets used precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to strike a several entry passages providing entry to the facility... early reports indicate the objective was successfully hit," the ministry announced.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the operation on Saturday evening and all the aircraft returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were backed up by a Voyager aerial refuelling aircraft.
The Islamic State group - alternatively referred to as Daesh - established extremist governance over large swathes of Iraq and Syria prior to its 2019 collapse.
"This operation demonstrates British leadership, and resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the region," Britain's Defence Chief the minister remarked.
British military aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State subsequent to its military defeat at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the authorities noted.
"I want to thank every member of the UK armed forces who took part in this strike for their expertise and their bravery," Healey said. "They were part of numerous British personnel stationed over the holidays. This mission, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our way of life, shows how British military are prepared to act, throughout the year, keeping Britain secure at home and powerful internationally."
Last December, the American forces carried out what it called a "large-scale strike" targeting IS targets in the country, subsequent to an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a civilian linguist in the Palmyra area.
The United Nations estimates Daesh still boasts an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 combatants in both countries.